SMM 2012 approaches

More than 2,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries, and 50,000 trade visitors are expected to attend this year’s fair. Ideas and innovative technology solutions for the shipping industry, which has been affected by the current fragile world economy, will be a hot topic on the agenda.

Shipbuilders reported an unprecedented production record in excess of 100m gross tonnes in 2011, however, this year, overcapacity and a drop in ship prices is expected. But, despite the drop in production, the shipping industry is seeing activity in new areas.

Dr Christian Schliephack, vice chairman, German industry association, VDMA, said: “We are successfully working global markets by tapping into new client groups and market segments. While our existing customers are ordering very few new ships at the moment, we are receiving more orders in the offshore as well as the retrofitting and service segments.”

The trade exhibition will offer a forum for environmental challenges and solution concepts, discussions of ship finance, international conference on maritime security and defence and discussions on the increasing oil and gas production at sea, as well as offshore wind energy.